Reducing accumulation of dust particles on a heat dissipating arrangement

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus to reduce dust particles accumulated on one or more surfaces provisioned proximate to the pulsating fan. The surfaces may include a heat exchanger provisioned proximate to the pulsating fan and the blades of the pulsating fan or any other such surface. The pulsating fan may be rotated in a first direction for a first time duration and in a second direction for a second time duration. The dust particles that are accumulated on the one or more surfaces provisioned proximate to the pulsating fan is reduced while the pulsating fan is rotated in the second direction. The second direction of rotation is reverse to the first direction of rotation. The pulsating fan may comprise an axial fan or a centrifugal fan.

This application claims priority to Indian Application Number 2198/DEL/2008, titled “REDUCING ACCUMULATION OF DUST PARTICLES ON A HEAT DISSIPATING ARRANGEMENT,” filed Sep. 19, 2008.

BACKGROUND

A system including an electronic or an automobile or an air conditioning system may comprise heat generating elements. In an electronic device, a microprocessor or a graphics device, or any other such device may generate heat. The generated heat may be dissipated using a heat dissipation arrangement. The heat dissipation arrangement may comprise a combination of a fan and a heat exchanger or air cooling devices. The heat generated by the devices may be dissipated by causing air to flow over the heated generating device. While the air is flowing, the heat that is generated may be transferred thus dissipating the heat.

Often, a fan comprises blades coupled to a member provisioned along the axis of the fan and rotation of the blades cause the air flow. Also, heat exchangers comprising highly conducting material may be provisioned proximate to the fan and such an arrangement may dissipate the heat at a faster rate. However, while rotating, the air flow may cause accumulation of numerous dust particles over the heat exchanger and fan blade surfaces. Over a period of time such accumulation of dust particles may form an insulating and opaque layer, which may hinder the passage of air. Such a condition may reduce the amount of heat dissipated, which may cause performance, ergonomic, and such other similar issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention described herein is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement 110 and 150 comprising a pulsating axial fan, which rotates in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, to reduce accumulation of dust on heat exchangers in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a line diagram 210 and 250 that depicts the direction of air-flow as the pulsating axial fan rotates in the first and second direction, respectively.

FIG. 3 depicts a picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 110.

FIG. 4 depicts a picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 150 comprising a pulsating axial fan may rotate in both the first and the second direction.

FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement 510 and 550 comprising a pulsating centrifugal fan, which rotates in a third and a fourth direction, respectively, to reduce accumulation of dust on heat exchangers in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a line diagram 610 and 650 that depicts the direction of impingement as the pulsating centrifugal fan rotates in the third and fourth direction, respectively.

FIG. 7 depicts a picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 510.

FIG. 8 depicts a picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 550 comprising a pulsating centrifugal fan may rotate in both the third and the fourth direction.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer system 900 in which the pulsating fan arrangement is used to reduce accumulation of dust on heat exchangers in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description describes reducing accumulation of dust on a heat dissipating arrangement. In the following description, numerous specific details such as logic implementations, or duplication implementations, types and interrelationships of components are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, structures have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

An embodiment of a pulsating axial fan used in a heat dissipation arrangement 110 and 150 to reduce accumulation of dust on a heat exchanger is illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the arrangement 110 comprises a pulsating axial fan 120 and a heat exchanger 130. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 may rotate in a direction 135 and the direction 105 and 106 may represent the direction of in-flow and out-flow of air, respectively. In one embodiment, the air that is transferred along the axis (direction 105) of the pulsating axial fan 120 may comprise dust particles.

In one embodiment, the air flowing along the direction 105 may carry the dust particles towards the blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130. In one embodiment, the dust particles may get accumulated on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130. In one embodiment, the accumulation of dust particles may form a dust layer 140. In one embodiment, the dust layer 140 may reduce the passage of air and may thus decrease the amount of heat dissipated. In one embodiment, decrease in the dissipation of heat may increase the thermal levels of a heat generating element and the performance of the heat generating element may thus degrade. In one embodiment, the picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 110 is depicted in FIG. 3, which illustrates accumulation of dust particles 340 on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 370.

In one embodiment, the dust particles may comprise minute solid particles or fiber media or such other similar elements. In one embodiment, the dust particles may occur from various sources such as soil, human skin cells, plant pollen, animal hair, textile fibers, paper fibers, and such other particles.

In one embodiment, the heat dissipation arrangement 150 may comprise the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat exchanger 130. However, the direction of rotation of the pulsating axial fan 120 may be reversed as depicted by the second direction 185. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 may rotate in a first direction for a substantial duration of time and may also, intermittently, rotate in the second direction, which is in a reverse direction to the first direction. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 rotating in the second direction 185 may create suction pressure along the direction 155-156. In one embodiment, the suction pressure created by rotation of the pulsating axial fan 120 may dislodge the dust particles of the dust layer 140. In one embodiment, dislodging of the dust particles from the dust layer 140 may reduce the accumulation of dust particles on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130. In one embodiment, the picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 150 comprising a pulsating axial fan may rotate in both the first and the second direction is depicted in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the picture of FIG. 4 illustrates reduction in the accumulation of dust particles 340 while the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates, periodically, in the first direction 135 and the second direction 185. In one embodiment, the duration in which the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates in the first direction 135 may be substantially more than the duration in which the pulsating axial fan 310 rotates in the second direction 185.

In one embodiment, dislodging of the dust particles may keep the heat-exchangers substantially free from the dust layer 340. Such an approach may allow the heat generating devices to perform at an expected performance level. In one embodiment, such an approach may substantially avoid the hindrance to heat dissipation. In one embodiment, avoiding hindrance to heat dissipation may also avoid overheating of the heat generating device thus maintaining the thermal levels of the devices within the ergonomic limits. Such an approach may also maintain the cleanliness of the surfaces of blades of the pulsating axial fan 310 and the heat exchanger 370 thus improving the aesthetic aspects of the arrangement.

In one embodiment, for a substantial amount of time the pulsating axial fan 310 may be rotated in the first direction of rotation 135. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 310 may be rotated in the second direction 185, which is in a direction reverse to the first direction 135, for a short duration of time on occurrence of specific events. In one embodiment, the specific events may comprise elapse of a specified time duration during which the pulsating axial fan 310 may rotate in the first direction 135 or if the thermal levels of the heat generating device exceeds a pre-set level, or start-up and shut down events and such other similar events. In one embodiment, time tracking devices may be used to track the time and temperature sensors may be used to sense the temperature of the heat generating devices.

A line diagram 210 and 250 depicting the direction of air flow while the pulsating axial fan 120 rotates in the direction 135 and 185, respectively, is illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the pulsating axial fan 120 rotating in the direction 135 may cause the air to flow along the direction 105-106, which may contribute to accumulation of dust particles on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130. In one embodiment, on reversing the direction of rotation of the pulsating axial fan 120, the pulsating axial fan 120 may cause suction of air along the direction 155-156, which may be substantially opposite to the direction 105-106. As a result of the flow of air in an opposite direction (155-156), the dust particles on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130 may get dislodged. Thus, the heat dissipation arrangement 150 may reduce the accumulation of dust particles on blades of the pulsating axial fan 120 and the heat-exchanger 130.

An embodiment of a centrifugal pulsating fan used in a heat dissipation arrangement 510 and 550 to reduce accumulation of dust particles on blades of a pulsating centrifugal fan and a heat exchanger is illustrated in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the arrangement 510 comprises a heat exchanger 520 and a pulsating centrifugal fan 530. In one embodiment, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515. In one embodiment, the direction 505 may represent the direction of in-flow of air and the direction 506 may represent out-flow of air. In one embodiment, the direction 506 may be at an angle of about 90 degrees to the direction 505.

In one embodiment, the rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 in the direction 515 may cause air to impinge the heat-exchanger 520. In one embodiment, the rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may cause the air to impinge the heat-exchanger 520 in the impingement direction 525. In one embodiment, the air impinging the heat-exchanger 520 in the impingement direction 525 may cause substantial amount of dust to accumulate at one end of the heat-exchanger 520 and blades of the fan 530. In one embodiment, accumulation of dust particles on the heat-exchanger 520 may form a dust layer 540 on blades of the fan 530 and the heat-exchanger 520. In one embodiment, the picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 510 is depicted in FIG. 7, which illustrates accumulation of dust particles 740 on blades of a pulsating centrifugal fan 710 and the heat exchanger 770.

In one embodiment, in the heat dissipation arrangement 550, the direction of rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may be reversed. In one embodiment, the fourth direction 565 may be substantially opposite to that of the third direction 515. In one embodiment, if the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 rotates in the fourth direction 565, the air flow may impinge the heat-exchanger 520 in an impingement direction 575. In one embodiment, the impingement direction 575 may make an angle theta-1 (‘θ1’) with the impingement direction 525. In one embodiment, due to the angle of the impingement direction 575 the air flowing along the impingement direction 575 may dislodge the dust particles from the blades of the fan 530 and the heat-exchanger 520. In one embodiment, rotating the centrifugal fan 530 in the fourth direction 565 may reduce accumulation of dust particles on blades of the fan 530 and the heat exchanger 520. In one embodiment, the picture of the heat dissipation arrangement 550 comprising a pulsating centrifugal fan may rotate in both the third and the fourth direction is depicted in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, the picture of FIG. 8 illustrates reduction in the accumulation of dust particles 740 while the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates, periodically, between the third and the fourth direction. In one embodiment, the duration in which the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates in the third direction 515 may be substantially more than the duration in which the pulsating centrifugal fan 710 rotates in the fourth direction 565.

A line diagram depicting the impingement directions in which the air flow occurs with a change in the direction of rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 is illustrated in FIG. 6.

In line diagram 610, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515 and cause the air inflow 505 to impinge the heat exchanger 520 in the impingement direction 525. In other embodiment, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the third direction 515 and cause the air inflow in the direction 505 to impinge the heat exchanger 520 in an impingement direction 526. In one embodiment, the impingement of air in the direction 525 and 526 may occur at a first angle and a second angle, respectively. In one embodiment, the impinging of air in the impingement direction 525 and/or 526 may cause the dust particles in the air to accumulate on blades of the fan 530 and the heat-exchanger 520.

In line diagram 650, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the fourth direction 565, which may be opposite to the third direction 515. In one embodiment, the rotation of the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 in the direction 565 may cause the air to impinge the heat exchanger 520 in the impingement direction 575. In other embodiment, the pulsating centrifugal fan 530 may rotate in the fourth direction 565 and cause the air inflow 505 to impinge the heat exchanger 520 in a direction 576. In one embodiment, the impingement of air in the direction 575 and 576 may occur at a third angle and a fourth angle, respectively.

In one embodiment, the direction 575 may form an angle theta-1 (θ1) with the direction 525. In one embodiment, the angle theta-1 may represent an obtuse angle (greater than 90 degrees). In other embodiment, the direction 576 may form an angle theta-2 (θ2) with the direction 576. In one embodiment, the angle theta-2 (θ2) may represent an acute angle (lesser than 90 degrees). In one embodiment, the dust particles accumulated on the heat exchanger 520 may be dislodged due to the flow of air in the impingement direction 575 and/or 576.

An embodiment of a computer system 900 comprising the heat dissipation arrangement including a pulsating axial or centrifugal fan is illustrated in FIG. 9. In one embodiment, the computer system 900 may comprise a processor 910, a cooling unit 930, a memory 940, a graphics device 950, a cooling unit 960, a controller hub 970, and I/O devices 980.

In one embodiment, memory 940 may be used to store instructions and data values that may be used by the processor 910. In one embodiment, the controller hub 970 may provide an interface between the processor 910 and the memory 940 and also between the processor 910 and the I/O devices 980. In one embodiment, a cooling unit may be provided proximate to the components from which heat may needs to be dissipated. In one embodiment, for illustration, the cooling unit 930 and 960 may be provided proximate to the processor 910 and the graphics device 950, respectively.

In one embodiment, the processor 910 may include a single core, or a dual core, or a multi-core processor. In one embodiment, the processor 910 may represent a heat generating device and the heat generated by the processor 910 may be dissipated using the cooling unit 930. In one embodiment, the cooling unit 930 may comprise a fan 935 and a heat exchanger HE 938. In one embodiment, the fan 935 may include a pulsating axial or a pulsating centrifugal fan, which may be rotated in one direction for a substantial amount of time and may be rotated in an opposite direction for a short duration of time. In one embodiment, the change of the direction of rotation of the pulsating fan 930 from one direction to the opposite direction may be based on occurrence of an event such as elapse of pre-set time duration, thermal levels of the processor 910 exceeding of a pre-set thermal level, or the processing load of the processor 910 exceeding a pre-set workload value.

In one embodiment, the reversal of the direction of rotation may dislodge the dust particles and may thus reduce the accumulation of dust particles on the fan 935 and the heat exchanger HE 938 or any other surface proximate to the cooling unit 930. In one embodiment, such an approach may reduce the chances of occurrence of the problems associated with accumulation of dust particles on the fan 935 and the HE 938 and other surfaces proximate to the cooling unit 930.

In one embodiment, the graphics device 950 may include a graphics controller, display controller, and such other similar units that may perform processing of picture data, which may need large processing resources. In one embodiment, the graphics device 950 may thus generate heat, which may need to be dissipated to conserve the performance levels. In one embodiment, the cooing unit 960, which may be placed proximate to the graphics device 950 may dissipate the heat generated by the graphics device 950. In one embodiment, the cooling unit 960 may comprise a fan 965 and a heat exchanger HE 968. In one embodiment, the fan 965 may comprise a pulsating axial or a pulsating centrifugal fan, which while rotating in one direction, may cause accumulation of dust particles on the fan 965 and the HE 968 or any other surface proximate to the cooling unit 960. In one embodiment, the pulsating fan 965 may be rotated in a reverse direction to dislodge the dust particles accumulated on the HE 968. Such an approach may enable heat dissipation and performance levels to be maintained.

Certain features of the invention have been described with reference to example embodiments. However, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the example embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, which are apparent to persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to lie within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a pulsating fan, wherein the pulsating fan is rotated in a first direction for a first time duration and a second direction for a second time duration, and a plurality of surfaces proximate to the pulsating fan, wherein dust particles that are accumulated on the plurality of surfaces is reduced while the pulsating fan is rotated in the second direction, wherein the second direction of rotation is reverse to the first direction of rotation, wherein the plurality of surfaces include a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein rotation of the axial fan in the first direction causes air to flow in a third direction and rotation of the axial fan in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, wherein the fourth direction is substantially opposite to the third direction.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein rotating the axial fan in the second direction is initiated based on occurrence of an event, wherein the event comprises thermal level of a heat generating device, from which the heat is dissipated, exceeding a set level.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein rotation of the centrifugal fan in the first direction causes air to impinge the heat exchanger in a fifth direction and rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction causes the air to impinge the heat exchanger in a sixth direction, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the sixth direction dislodges the dust particles.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sixth direction forms a first angle with the fifth direction, wherein the first angle is an acute angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the first angle dislodges the dust particles accumulated on the heat exchanger.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sixth direction forms a second angle with the fifth direction, wherein the second angle is an obtuse angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the second angle dislodges the dust particles accumulated on the heat exchanger.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein rotating the centrifugal fan in the second direction is initiated based on occurrence of an event, wherein the event comprises elapsing of the first time duration.
 10. A method comprising: rotating a pulsating fan in a first direction for a first time duration and a second direction for a second time duration, and provisioning a plurality of surfaces proximate to the pulsating fan, wherein dust particles that are accumulated on the plurality of surfaces is reduced while the pulsating fan is rotated in the second direction, wherein the second direction of rotation is reverse to the first direction of rotation, wherein the plurality of surfaces include a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein rotation of the axial fan in the first direction causes air to flow in a third direction and rotation of the axial fan in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, wherein the fourth direction is substantially opposite to the third direction.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the axial fan in the second direction is initiated based on occurrence of an event, wherein the event comprises thermal level of a heat generating device, from which the heat is dissipated, exceeding a set level.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein rotation of the centrifugal fan in the first direction causes air to impinge the heat exchanger in a fifth direction and rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction causes the air to impinge the heat exchanger in a sixth direction, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the sixth direction dislodges the dust particles.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sixth direction forms a first angle with the fifth direction, wherein the first angle is an acute angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the first angle dislodges the dust particles.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sixth direction forms a second angle with the fifth direction, wherein the second angle is an obtuse angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger in the second angle dislodges the dust particles.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein rotating the centrifugal fan in the second direction is initiated based on occurrence of an event, wherein the event comprises elapsing of the first time duration.
 19. A system comprising: a heat generating device, and heat dissipation arrangement, wherein the heat dissipation arrangement is provisioned proximate to the heat generating device, wherein the heat dissipation arrangement comprises a pulsating fan, wherein the pulsating fan is rotated in a first direction for a first time duration and a second direction for a second time duration and a plurality of surfaces provisioned proximate to the pulsating fan, wherein dust particles that are accumulated on the plurality of surfaces is reduced while the pulsating fan is rotated in the second direction, wherein the second direction of rotation is reverse to the first direction of rotation, wherein the plurality of surfaces include a heat exchanger and blades of the pulsating fan.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the heat generating device is a processor.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the pulsating fan is an axial fan.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the rotation in the first direction causes the air to flow in a third direction and the rotation in the second direction causes the air to flow in a fourth direction, wherein the fourth direction is substantially opposite to the third direction.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the heat generating device is a graphics device.
 24. The system of claim 19, wherein the pulsating fan is a centrifugal fan.
 25. The system of claim 20, wherein rotation of the centrifugal fan in the first direction causes air to impinge the heat exchanger in a fifth direction and rotation of the centrifugal fan in the second direction causes the air to impinge the heat exchanger in a sixth direction.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the impingement of air in the sixth direction dislodges the dust accumulated on the heat exchanger.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the sixth direction forms a first angle with the fifth direction, wherein the first angle is an acute angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger at the first angle dislodges the dust particles.
 28. The system of claim 25, wherein the sixth direction forms a second angle with the fifth direction, wherein the second angle is an obtuse angle, wherein the air impinging the heat exchanger at the second angle dislodges the dust particles. 